CPD - Electrical Safety in Construction: Regulations & Compliance

Electricity is one of the best inventions of human history. It is so useful in many ways and powering every aspect of life. Nowadays, it can power daily life, helping people talk to each other, improve healthcare, and provide comfort, making life easier. However, it often can be dangerous too, especially in the building industry. Therefore, electrical safety in construction is one of the top priorities.

If you don’t take care of electricity properly, it can lead to big problems. This affects both safety and how well workers do their jobs. As an example, one of the most common problems for electrical safety in construction is bad wiring. It can cause short circuits, which lead to fires or system malfunctions. Being safe and prepared is the way to avoid these problems at all costs.

What is electrical safety in construction?

Electrical safety in construction is a safety step to keep workers and the public safe from the danger of electricity during the building work. Now, accidentally coming in contact with electricity can cause serious harm or even death. To reduce this, the UK government made rules to prevent this accident. 

In 2021/2022, 6% of workers had to suffer fatal injuries from electrical parts. Even though the number is not high, it does not mean we can forget about it. Some tools have high levels of electrical hazards in the workplace. Therefore, proper safety training is important to ensure a safe working condition. Moreover, here is what it can cause you:

Electric shock

Even a voltage as low as 50 volts can affect the body's function. This is because the current can block the electrical signals between the brain and the muscles. There are serious effects from this situation, such as stopping the heart from beating properly, preventing the person from breathing, and causing muscle spasms. However, the effect is dependent upon the size of the voltage, how long the shock lasts, which body parts are involved, and how wet the person is. 

Electrical burns

One of the reasons why you need electrical safety in construction is because it can cause electrical burns. The current passes through the human body, and it heats the skin along the length of the current flow. As a result, you can get deep burns. Often, you will need big surgery and are permanently disabled. This is common with the higher voltages, but it can happen with the lower ones too.

Loss of muscle control

When you get an electric shock, it can cause painful muscle spasms. It is so strong, it can break your bones or dislocate joints. If this happens, it often means you cannot ‘let go’ or escape electric shock. This is dangerous because you may fall if you are working at a height, or be thrown into the machinery or structures around you.

Thermal Burns

The importance of electrical safety in construction is that you don’t want to catch thermal burns. This is what will happen if you get too near hot surfaces or near an electrical explosion. Many times, this is caused by overloaded, faulty, incorrectly unkempt, or shorted electrical equipment. Also, some tools can get really hot in normal operation.

Course Synopsis

The CPD - Electrical Safety in Construction: Regulations & Compliance course will help the learners to avoid accidents caused by electricity. In doing so, they can pay better attention to what's around them while working on the site. Also, the learners can provide a safer working environment. Therefore, this course provides them with learning goals such as:

1. Understanding electrical hazards in construction
2. Knowing the electrical safety regulations and standards
3. Checking for risk assessment for the preventive measure
4. Safe use of equipment and tools
5. Learning LOTO procedures
6. Personal protective equipment for electrical safety
7. Emergency procedures and first aid

As a result, the learners will feel safer and more prepared at work with electrical safety in construction. Moreover, they will understand the things they need to avoid and to do in case of emergency. This course is not only for the learner's safety, but also to provide safety for other workers and the public.

Syllabus

This course provides the learners with the knowledge of electrical safety in construction and what the possible risks look like. Therefore, they create and use plans to reduce harm, including isolation, grounding, and safe ways to do the job. Also, the learners will learn how to properly use, take care of, and check electrical tools and equipment. From this training, they will learn things about:

• Introduction to electrical safety in construction
• Electrical regulations and compliance
• Finding dangers and stopping them
• Safe use of electrical equipment and tools
• Proper electrical installation and temporary power safety
• Response and first aid to the accident
• Roles and responsibilities

Through this training, the learners can create a safe workplace and stop accidents before they happen. Also, the course uses activities such as presentations and discussions to help them achieve a better understanding. By the end of the lesson, the learners will receive a certificate without any test or assignment as proof of completion. 

Prerequisite Qualifications

The CPD - Electrical Safety in Construction: Regulations & Compliance course is suitable for anyone who has knowledge of construction or electrical systems. For example, construction workers, electricians, site managers, and safety officers. However, anyone who is interested can join this training because there is no requirement and it is beginner-friendly.

Who should you talk to about electrical safety in construction?

First, you can always contact an experienced electrician to give you advice on electrical safety in construction. Moreover, they should be able to direct you to a suitable engineer for advice about the area of expert knowledge. However, if the answer doesn’t satisfy you enough, you can always contact the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Also, if there are any electrical accidents, you should make a report and tell the HSE. It is under the requirements of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013. Most importantly, if you think someone is working without electrical safety in construction, you can ask them to stop immediately and tell a manager. If they are still working in an unsafe way, you can report to HSE.

Ensure electrical safety in construction with the College of Contract Management UK

Nowadays, almost all of the things we do need electricity. This is why electricity is one of the greatest inventions in history. However, this thing can be dangerous, especially in construction. This is the reason why you need electrical safety in construction. It provides the workers and the public with safety rules to prevent accidents from happening. As a result, it can cause injuries like electric shock, burns, or even death.

To prevent it, the College of Contract Management can help you with that. The CPD - Electrical Safety in Construction: Regulations & Compliance course provides you with the information that you need. From the understanding of electrical risks, learn safety rules, and use the right equipment to stay safe. Also, you will learn things about risk assessment, protective gear, and emergency response. In doing so, you can create a safer working environment for yourself and others.

You need to take electrical safety in construction seriously. If you find someone is doing dangerous electrical work, you can always report it to their manager or the HSE to prevent accidents. Following the electrical safety rules is not only going to protect the workers but also to make sure a safer environment for everyone.

In the time being, the CPD - Electrical Safety in Construction: Regulations & Compliance course is still not ready to grab. We are still waiting for the lecturer’s schedule and materials. Moreover, you can check other amazing courses that are available on this site. If there are any questions, we encourage you to contact the CCM team through email.